Hello seasoned readers! In this issue:

• Solo travel: Learning to embrace your own company

• The running of the goats. Yes, goats.

• Sneak peak at what’s coming soon!

• Grandma Gatewood’s 1,290-mile walk (how’s that for burning off holiday calories?)

Solo travel: Learning to embrace your own company

Thinking of what to do after the holiday season (perhaps it’s on your mind while prepping the easy meal in our last newsletter)?

This piece contributed by Tapestry writer Pam Miller

As a senior, I have a burning desire to travel the world now that I have on-demand free time. I want to see the Great Pyramids. Lose myself in the quaint French countryside. Walk with the penguins in Antarctica. Most of all, I want to trek to Mount Everest Base Camp and drink in the scenery and ancient culture.

But alone? No way. Well, maybe. But then again…

Genius tips from a solo traveler

It seems I’m not alone with my mixed emotions about solo travel. I worry about being lonely or bored, getting lost, staying safe, and where and what to eat.

For advice, I first turned to Nancy Quinby, an avid 62-year-old solo traveler with nearly a lifetime of going it alone. Traveling solo since she was 18, Quinby is drawn to the freedom it gives her to do whatever she wants, without any compromise or negotiation.

So I asked Quinby where I should begin, and it all made so much sense:

• First, take a weekend trip to a familiar place to learn your comfort level. You may want to try this several times to build self-confidence.

• Ready for the next step? Plan a more extended domestic trip so that language, food, and currency are not issues.

• Do your research. Plan what you want to do. Make sure your accommodations are in a safe location and near the places you want to visit. Call your hotel for more information, or consult a travel agent.

• Look for opportunities to connect with others who have shared interests when you don't want to be alone:

  • Go on tours or sponsored trips; take a walking tour, sightseeing bus, or group museum visit with a docent. A travel agent can quickly connect you to activities you’re interested in (and then some).

  • Engage with your hotel’s concierge or front desk for ideas during your stay.

  • Chat with staff - even customers - in restaurants and stores.

• When in doubt, Uber. Throughout the US and abroad, Uber operates with the same safety features you've come to know. And you never have to open your wallet.

For more information on traveling solo:

• Don’t Forget Amtrak: In case you missed it we recently shared why train travel is becoming hot with seniors

• AAA Solo Travel Club (private Facebook group; free to join)

• Solo Traveler is a great resource, with articles like:

  • Fear of First Solo Trip: How to Get Past It

  • Travel Solo Over 60: Mature, Strong, and Confident 

  • Solo Travel Safety: 50+ Proven Tips to Keep You Safe

Pro tips from an advisor

For another point of view, I connected with Virginia Balch of Lily Pond Luxury, an upbeat and knowledgeable luxury travel advisor in Austin, Texas, to learn how professionals approach solo travel. Like Quinby, she said many clients enjoy its freedom and flexibility. Even with her many opportunities to travel, Balch will visit a favorite wellness retreat for her time alone. Check out her article

Balch believes that traveling alone can lead to a profound experience of self-discovery. “It allows you to connect with yourself on a deeper level. It can also help you overcome challenges; navigating unfamiliar territories can boost confidence and self-reliance.”

I’ve used travel agents and never regretted the decision. It helped prevent dream vacations from becoming nightmares and turned ordinary trips into wonderful experiences. I could only imagine it being a boon to going solo.

Balch agreed, “A travel agent can be invaluable in planning a solo trip, especially if you're new to traveling alone,” from helping ensure your safety to saving you time by handling all logistics and reservations, from takeoff to touchdown, and every point in between. Whether you’re traveling alone or with others, Balch offers this checklist:

• Research your destination, including local customs, laws, and potential safety risks.

• Check visa requirements for your destination well in advance.

• Register with the U.S. Embassy in the countries you’ll be visiting to help the embassy assist you in case of an emergency. Carry the contact information with you.

• Stay informed. Be up-to-date on current events. Bookmark the U.S. Department of State’s updated list of travel advisories.

• Trust your instincts. If something feels off, don't hesitate to seek help.

• Know the healthcare options in your destination and consider purchasing travel insurance.

NOTE: Most travel advisors only charge a small flat-planning fee to work with them. The rest of their income is made through commissions from hotels and guides.

The running of the goats. Yes, goats.

During a recent trip to picturesque Victoria, British Columbia, our featured solo traveler Nancy Quinby happened upon this morning (and afternoon) delight… the running of the goats at Beacon Hill Children’s Farm in Beacon Hill Park. It’s this kind of random discovery that solo travel can lead you to, no bull!

“This was such a funny thing to come across,” Quinby laughed. “And the petting zoo was great.”

Learn more about the joys of solo travel.

Coming Soon!

As we head further into the holiday season, next week learn about the benefits of giving and some simple ways to do it! And we’ll have a good dessert recipe as well.

Our readers love food and we hear you loud and clear. In the coming weeks we’ll talk about food as a destination and may even have some food party games to try out! Stay tuned!

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Fun Fact of the Day: Grandma Gatewood

Looking for a way to burn off those holiday calories?

Emma “Grandma” Gatewood, mother of 11 and grandmother of 23, told her kids she was “going for a hike in the woods” in 1955. Then she kept hiking. For 2,190 miles. Across the entire Appalachian Trail. On September 25th of the same year, she became the first woman to ever hike the entire Trail and became an inspiration to others.

And then two years later she became the first person to ever do it twice!

Read about Grandma Gatewood’s fascinating story.

We look forward to hearing about all the places you go.